Picking a string "confusing"

[Nickac]

What can I say. So many strings and so many options. I'm getting back into tennis after 10 years. Before that I played for approx 8 years. I would consider myself a 4.0 player. 6 foot 6 inches tall 230lbs

  Currently I have a pro staff classic 6.1 with gut. I am going to be buying a new racquet and am demoing 4. I have done some research on your site about strings and a feel I am familiar of the different types but reviews seem so mixed no matter what you select. So I am looking for advice on picking one or narrowing down to a few choices. I was thinking about going with what the pros use. It then you read reviews on how the poly strings go dead after a few hours and how pros always have a new set of strings so durability and tension holding is of no issue. I want something that has good playability and doesn't deaden quickly. Something that can last. Maybe around 20$ or so.
 With so many options where does one start.

Thanks

 

[Rjtennis]

I would just pick a string that you think fits your game and dont worry about tension loss. Some people are more sensitive to strings losing tension/going dead then other. Depending on your game at 4.0 a set of poly strings will be pretty durable and last a while. Just dont leave them in there for too long. Strings are also a mater of prefernce. String I like others dont and vice versa. Other posters probably have better recomendations for non-poly strings than I. I use poly strings and ones I like are Tour Bite, Pro-Line II, Luxilon Alu Rough, Spiky Shark, Pro Hurricane Tour and others. Have fun experimenting, you will find something you like.

 

[lynnbart]

I would start with a hybrid of a soft co-poly and a synthetic of some kind or string up a soft co-poly at fairly lows tensions.

The strings from Discho, MSV, Weiss Cannon, Genesis, Kirshbaum, are all good places to start.

 

[Ramon]

Go ahead and try poly, either full or hybrid. It's worth seeing what it's like. Keep in mind that the pros only need strings to last them 1 or 2 sets, so there's a good chance that the strings they use won't last you long enough. Pay attention to your arm. Even if the strings don't bother your arm during your first match, that doesn't mean the deadness won't creep up on you later.

I no longer use poly because of my arm, but a friend whose racquets I string is really liking Signum Pro Poly Hextreme, and it has a reputation for holding tension better than most polys.

 

[Valjean]

....I was thinking about going with what the pros use. It then you read reviews on how the poly strings go dead after a few hours and how pros always have a new set of strings so durability and tension holding is of no issue. I want something that has good playability and doesn't deaden quickly. Something that can last. Maybe around 20$ or so....

Your hesitation is well-deserved; here is TW's Learning Center on the polyester thing:

"Polyester - a very durable string designed for string breakers-not much power or feel. Polyester strings became very popular with ATP players, because it provides added durability, doesn't move and "deadens" the stringbed. While this isn't a desirable feature for most recreational players, it is for many of todays ATP and (some) WTA players. They're bigger, stronger, swing faster and use more powerful racquets than players from the past. Often used in hybrids, combining polyester mains with softer synthetic or natural gut mains. This offers the durability benefits of polyester, while reducing the stiff, dead feel. Also easier to string than 100% polyester. Not recommended for beginning players or players with arm injuries."

Polyester is, as yet, still a "quick fix" for a long-term problem not yet solved: how to deal with extended baseline play using primarily an open-stance forehand. It was tried twice before, in earlier decades, as a solution for breakage and discarded for reasons you're familiar with. Start with the string material you are used to and get your game going again, then come back.

Here is a recent take on how the pros are once more trying to use this difficult-to-play-with material: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100...m od=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs=article

The fascination of the young (and other thoughtless types, age or physical endurance having proved no barrier at all) maps that once-potent fable, The Emperor's New Clothes.. Polys deserve the same market niche as kevlar, and no more, for reasons said.

 

[kiteboard]

Tour bite 18g/volkl cyclone 18g. Look at my stringing posts on how to string for tension loss.

 

[mikeler]

Try this thread: For more updated string reviews: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=217127

For more updated string reviews: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=419469

 

[drummerdan]

Start with the string material you are used to and get your game going again, then come back.

Exactly what I did several years ago. I had been off for several years (5-6) and was playing with Prince Syn Gut before. I came back using it because I was familiar with the feel. It was about 6-8 months later that I started experimenting with hybrids to where I am today - full poly and loving it.

Take it slow and let your arm build back up to "tennis speed". Poly too fast is a sure way to wreck your arm.

 

[APB Stringers]

Types of tennis string

Hey guys, this is the text taken from a post on my blog:

Choosing the right tennis strings for your game can be a complete minefield, however, hopefully with this guide you will know a bit more about the different types of tennis strings available and which one will be right for your game.

Nylon (Synthetic Gut)

Nylon strings are often referred to as synthetic gut strings because of their likeness to the more expensive natural gut. They can be made out of a number of different blends of fibers and are some of the most popular strings on the market, as they are usually used by most club and recreational players due to their excellent balance of playability, durability and price. They are more durable than natural gut, however not as durable as polyester or kevlar strings. A good example of a nylon string is Prince Synthetic Gut with Duraflex, which has been one of the top selling strings around the world for the past 10 years.

Natural Gut

Natural gut is made from the intestines of usually cows or sheep. Natural gut strings offer the best power, comfort and playability among all types of strings. It is excellent for people with tennis elbow as it has a really soft feel to it, however, all of this does come at a price, and it is a big one! Just one set of natural gut can cost up to as much as £36 and that is without the labor cost of the stringer added onto that! Natural gut is used by many professional players in a hybrid usually with a polyester as natural gut is the least durable string on the market and can be easily affect by environmental factors such as rain or temperature. However, if you are a money no object kind of guy, then natural gut will offer you the best all round playability, although be prepared to be visiting your stringer very frequently.

Polyester

Polyester strings offer lest power and comfort than nylon strings, however, offer a lot more durability. Polyester strings tend to lose tension a lot quicker than other types of strings, so many players string their rackets a little tighter in order to compensate for this drop off. While polyester strings are ideal for frequent string breakers the lack of feel and comfort usually means that they are paired with a multi-filament nylon or natural gut in order to soften up the string bed.

Kevlar

Last but no means least, kevlar strings offer an extremely frequent string breaker a little respite. They are by far the most durable strings on the market, although, offer very little power or comfort. That is why they are not recommended to juniors or adults with arm injuries. A very soft nylon is also usually needed in a hybrid in order to soften up the extremely stiff string.

Head over to my website at www.apbstringers.co.uk for more information on tennis strings! Hope this is helpful